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PHOTOS from "Destigmatized" at Studio Playhouse

By John Posada

originally published: 10/22/2022

(Left to Right) Renee Hecht, Angelle Whavers, Heather Wahl, Emily Miller, Allyssa Hynes, Sarah Decker, Tara Moran, Alicia Whavers, and Debbie Buchsbaum

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players presents Destigmatized with performances on October 21st and 22nd at 8:00pm and October 23rd at 3:00pm at Studio Playhouse in Montclair. Modeled after The Vagina MonologuesDestigmatized has introductory and closing scenes, as well as group scenes based off interviews conducted with the women and uterus owners, and original monologues written and performed by both theatre company’s members. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

The proceeds raised from the production will go to two charities, Planned Parenthood and GLSEN. 

Topics in the play include: abortion, sexual assault, #MeTooMovement, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Scare, Religious Identity, Periods, Sexism, Child Molestation, Transgender Rights and Tampons. The pieces range from the hilarious to the heartbreaking. 

Following the devastating news regarding the leaked SCOTUS draft decision, which accurately indicated the imminent overturning of Roe v. Wade, theatre company Red Mic Repertory Company reached out to Unidentified Stages to discuss what could be done. The two companies have officially partnered to develop an original play entitled Destigmatized, comprised of true stories written by our respective company members. We’ve rallied our company members to perform these original pieces at different theatres in the tri-state area. 




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Studio Playhouse was the first theatre to welcome Destigmatized with their original staged reading. After successful stagings at different venues, Studio Players is proud to welcome them back, this time offering a three show run. 

The play was conceived & edited by: Emily Miller, Caroline Ritacco, Alicia Whavers & Angelle Whavers. It was written & performed by: Debbie Buchsbaum, Sarah Decker, Leslie Williams Ellis, Heidi Hart, Alli Hartley-Kong, Alicia Hayes, Renee Hecht, Allyssa Hynes, Jess Katz, Emily Miller, Tara Moran, Caroline Ritacco, Heather Wahl, Alicia Whavers, Angelle Whavers & Anonymous.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Studio Playhouse is located at 14 Alvin Place in Montclair, New Jersey.

Here are more photos from the production.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.

Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.

The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chip and Gus, a comedy with balls will be presented at The Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory. The play is performed, directed, and created by John Ahlin & Christopher Patrick Mullen. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Trilogy Repertory presents "Shrek, The Musical" in Basking Ridge

Trilogy Repertory presents "Shrek, The Musical" in Basking Ridge

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Bernards Township Parks & Recreation and Trilogy Repertory presents Shrek, The Musical across two weekends from July 16-25, 2026 at Pleasant Valley Park Amphitheater in Basking Ridge. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film. Admission is free; bring your own lawnchairs and enjoy the show!

The Blue Moon Theatre presents "Where the Lost Children Play"

(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- The Blue Moon Theatre presents Where the Lost Children Play across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. This is a dystopian stage play by Hannah Lee DeFrates. It follows two young women, Willow and Poppy, navigating a grim society.
Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"

Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- The Narrator is ready to start the show, but how is that supposed to happen when nobody else in the cast has read the script and the costumes haven't even arrived yet? Children, families, and the young at heart will find out when Nutley Little Theatre presents The Worst Fairy Tale Ever by Todd Wallinger July 25-26, 2026.
Fool Moon Theatre presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"

Fool Moon Theatre presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"

(MARGATE, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents the award-winning madcap musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. Winner of five Tony Awards, this is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.

The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret

(UNION, NJ) -- Kaleidoscope Kabaret (that's Kabaret with a K), The Theater Project's annual festival of live music and short comedic plays, will liven up the stage of DMK Black Box Theatre in Union Township's new Arts Center from July 24-26, 2026.

Aspire Performing Arts presents Disney's "Descendants: The Musical"

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company, an award-winning performing arts company based in Wayne, will present Disney's Descendants: The Musical from July 24-26, 2026 at the Barn Theatre in Montville. The production features two casts of young performers and is directed by Joey Nasta with musical direction by Shannen Lynn and choreography by Charlize Dominguez.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Shrek: The Musical

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


My Fair Lady

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 1:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


Vivid Summer Solos: "Long Drive Home" by Stephen Kaplan

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ


Mala Aria

Thursday, July 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ



 

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